Kwara State to Emerge as Africa's Innovation Hub, Says Commissioner

Date: 2024-12-07

The Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Tourism in Kwara State, Damilola Adelodun, has expressed confidence in the state's potential to emerge as a global hub for high technology and innovation, akin to Silicon Valley in California, USA.

Adelodun highlighted the state's strategic investments in tech infrastructure and innovation hubs, which he believes will attract world-class companies and position Kwara as a leader in the tech ecosystem.

Silicon Valley, renowned as the headquarters for tech giants such as Apple Inc., HP Inc., eBay, and Netflix, serves as an inspiration for Kwara's vision to transform its economy through technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the activities of her ministry, Adelodun said, “In terms of legacy, one of the key projects I have been lucky to head is the Ilorin Innovation Hub. It is more of a large ICT centre, which is arguably the biggest in West Africa. We also have a partnership with IHS Towers, and there is a fund of about N1bn earmarked for the running and for the programmes, training, as well as start-ups and venture capitals that would come here. We have a mandate to at least bring up two unicorns before the end of 2025.”

Reacting to critics who are of the opinion that the state is not a technology hub and should focus on other pressing issues, the young and beautiful government official said, “Interestingly enough, Kwara State has a big tech community. There are a lot of tech businesses started by Kwarans, including Kuda Bank. So, in terms of a tech hub, Kwara is it, and we want it to be the next Silicon Valley. If you think tech, we want you to think Kwara; not Lagos or Abuja. That is the vision for Ilorin Innovation Hub.”

Shedding more light on why the state recently hosted the Best of Nollywood Awards, the commissioner said, “The Sugar Film Factory, where the event was held, is under the purview of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology. People often forget that entertainment and culture have a business element to them. That was why we refurbished the rundown facility, which used to be a sugar factor. The studio is currently equipped for news, podcast and movie productions. We also have a training institute for youths, actors and filmmakers.

“In sponsoring and hosting BON, we looked at the benefit it could bring to the state, especially in terms of showcasing Kwara. I think it was very successful and we are looking forward to have more in the state.

“Many of the actors, filmmakers and creatives who attended the event loved what they saw, and many of them already have plans to do things in the state.”

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Olatunji Moronfoye     Saraki     Ambassador Kayode Laro     Olokoba Sulyman     Omupo     Wahab Olasupo Egbewole     Facemasks     Olaiya Victor Mobolaji     Kunbi Titiloye     Kwara State University Of Education     Chief Imam Of Lafiagi     Bola Tinubu     Lithium     Emir Of Shonga     Gambari     Offa Descendants Union     Otoge     CACOVID Palliatives     Mary Kemi Adeosun     Ogidi-Oloje     Samuel Adedoyin     Usman Rifun     Olateju Lukman     Oba Sulaiman Asude     Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners     Sherif Sagaya     YAKOOYO     Rebecca Bake     Salihu Ajibola Ajia     Surajudeen Akanbi     Raymond Olaitan     Abdulmajeed Wahab     Fatima Abolore Jimoh     Kabir Shagaya     Galadima     Women Radio     Igbomina     Col. Taiwo     Toyin Olayinka Tejidini     Babatunde Ishola Babaita     Rashidi Yekini     Mujtabah Bature     Fulani     Coalition Of Kwara North Groups     CCEPE     Ilorin Amusement Park     Ijagbo     Marafan Shonga     Ojo Isekuse     Ahmed Alhasssan     Eleyele     Yeketi     John Kehinde Salako     Mansur Alfanla     Shettima Of Ilorin     Shonga Farm Project     Makama Of Ilorin     Abdulrazaq Aiyelabegan     Danladi     NULGE     Yusuf Abdulkadir     A.O. Belgore     Ilesha-Baruba     HAMFAT Clinic And Maternity     Muhammed Abdullahi     Democracy Day     Sheriff Shagaya     Dan Masanin     Public Holiday     Maimunat Oloriegbe     Garba Ayodele Wahab     Aishat Mohammed Lawal     Hijab     Muhammed Danjuma     Baaziki Sulaiman     Mahmud Ayinla Giwa     Afusat Nike Ibrahim    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

SDP     Mahmud Babatunde Baker     Cassava Growers\' Association     Kayode Issa     Illyasu Abdullahi     Zubair Folorunsho Erubu     Harrison Osauwagboe     Danladi     NAWOJ     Raji AbdulRasaq     TIC     Is\'haq Modibbo Kawu     Kayode Alabi     Yusuf A. Usman     Adamu Jemilat-Baki     Yakubu Dogara     Olaiya Lawal     College Of Arabic And Islamic Legal Studies     University Road     Yusuf Ali     Share/Tsaragi     Elesie Of Esie     Yemi Sanni     Ilorin.Info     NIPR     Oyin-Zubair     Shuaibu Yaman     KWTV     Sulyman Buhari     Col. Ibrahim Taiwo     Jimoh Lambe Abdulkareem     IF-K     Ahmed \'Lateef     Taofeek Ibraheem     AbdulGafar Tosho     Yusuf Badmus     Aso-ofi     Bola Iyabo Ibiyeye Adisa     Tsaragi/Share     Muhammadu Buhari     Computer Based Test     Awoye     Akeem Lawal     Mohammed Ibrahim     Vasolar     Law School Scholarship     Lawyers Unite Against Corruption     Kwara Basketball Association     Yusuf Abdulkadir     Nurudeen Muhammed     CCEPE     LEAH Charity Foundation     Bursary     Amos Sayo     Unilorin     Kwara State Branch Of The National Library     Bolaji Nagode     Ajike People Support Centre     Mamman Saba Jibril     Kola Olota     Ahmed Idris Mohammed     Sayomi     George Funsho Adebayo     Oyedepo     Osinbajo     Isau     Government Girls’ Day Secondary School Pakata     KWATMA     Iqra Books     Mohammed Alabi Lawal     Student Learning Support Helpline     Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq     Government High School (GHS), Adeta     Iyiola Oyedepo     Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Umar Yakubu Jaja     Savannah Centre For Diplomacy, Democracy And Development